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Nature 30 th Season opens with Radioactive Wolves Wednesday, October 19, 2011 on PBS
Milestone Season Of Nature Leads Primetime Wednesdays On PBS
Exclusive content and streaming videos available at pbs.org/nature
As the most watched documentary film series on public television, Nature will lead primetime Wednesdays on PBS beginning this fall with Radioactive Wolves on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at 8 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings). The season premiere will examine Chernobyl’s resurgence of wildlife since the historic nuclear disaster a quarter-century ago. Focusing on the growing native wolf population in the contaminated area, scientists are piecing together a picture of surviving species in a world without humans. This portrait of wildlife in the forbidden zone provides a fascinating “what if?” window into a future after a collapse of human civilization. Following the broadcast, the program will stream at pbs.org/nature with additional online content. Celebrating its 30 th Season, Nature is a production of THIRTEEN in association with WNET New York Public Media, the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21, New York’s public television stations. For nearly 50 years, WNET has been producing and broadcasting national and local documentaries and other programs to the New York community. “Along with everything else, the wildlife genre has evolved over the course of Nature’s history,” said Fred Kaufman, series executive producer. “Technological advances in filmmaking
have allowed the series to present scientific breakthroughs and intimate details about the natural world in more dynamic and compelling ways. Whether it’s a the flight of a hummingbird captured at 1,000 frames per second, images of volcanoes erupting underwater, or stories about life in the Arctic, our goal is always to present the best films and the best filmmakers, sharing the beauty and endless wonders of our planet with our viewers.” The slate of films for Nature ’s 30 th Season includes one man’s experience as a “turkey mom” in My Life As A Turkey, and monkey-eating harpy eagles in Jungle Eagle . In spring 2012, the series will dive deep into the world of whales and dolphins in a multi-part special, Ocean Giants, and will examine street smart urban raccoons in Raccoon Nation . Fall 2011 premiere programs will include:
Radioactive Wolves (Wednesday, October 19) The historic nuclear accident at Chernobyl is now 25 years old. Filmmakers and scientists set out to document the lives of the packs of wolves and other wildlife thriving in the “dead zone” which still surrounds the remains of the reactor.
The Animal House (working title) (Wednesday, November 2) Why do some animals build structures and others don’t? And how do animals decide where to build? Animal homes need to be safe and secure, protection from predators and the weather. An eagle’s nest can weigh up to one ton, a termite mound can stand eight feet tall, and some falcon nest sites have been around for centuries. Going above ground and under, Nature will investigate just what goes into making a home when you’re wild and cost is not a factor.
Jungle Eagle (Wednesday , November 9) The most powerful raptor in the world, the harpy eagle, hides away deep in the South American jungle. Harpy eagles are barely ever seen, let alone filmed. In this extraordinary documentary, an intrepid team of cameramen steps into the world of this monkey-eating eagle and even risks injury to obtain intimate pictures of them bringing large monkeys to the nest to feed their young. The tables soon turn, however, as one of these massive birds starts following the team.
My Life As A Turkey (Wednesday, November 16) This remarkable film is based on the true story of writer and naturalist, Joe Hutto, who was presented with the rare opportunity to raise wild turkeys from chicks. Deep in the wilds of Florida, Hutto spent each day out and about as a “wild turkey” with his family of chicks until the day came when he had to let his children grow up and go off on their own. As it turned out, this was harder than he ever imagined. Hutto’s story also became a book, Illuminations in the Flatlands .
Nature is a production of THIRTEEN in association with WNET for PBS. Fred Kaufman is Executive Producer. Nature pioneered a television genre that is now widely emulated in the broadcast industry. Throughout the series’ history, Nature has brought the natural world into the homes of millions of viewers. The series has been consistently among the most-watched primetime series on public television. Nature has won more than 600 honors from the television industry, the international wildlife film communities, and environmental organizations – including 10 Emmys, three Peabodys and the first award given to a television program by the Sierra Club. In October of
2010, the series won the Christopher Parsons Outstanding Achievement Award, given to “an organization or individual that has made a globally significant contribution to wildlife filmmaking, conservation and/or the public’s understanding of the environment.” The award, given by the Wildscreen Festival in Bristol, England, is one of the wildlife film industry’s highest honors. PBS.org/nature is the award-winning web companion to Nature featuring streaming episodes, teacher’s guides and more. Major corporate support for Nature is provided by Canon U.S.A., Inc. Additional support is provided by the Lillian Goldman Charitable Trust, Filomen M. D'Agostino Foundation, by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and by the nation’s public television stations.
### About WNET New York Public Media WNET is America’s flagship public media outlet, bringing quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. The parent company of public television stations THIRTEEN and WLIW21 and operator of NJTV , WNET produces such acclaimed PBS series as Great Performances , American Masters , Nature , Need to Know , Charlie Rose , Tavis Smiley and a range of documentaries, children’s programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math , Noah Comprende and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state’s unique culture and diverse communities through SundayArts , Reel 13 , NJ Today and the new online newsmagazine MetroFocus .
6/29/11